Whether Definition
wĕthər, hwĕth-
conjuntion
If it be the case or fact that.
Ask whether she will help.
Webster's New World
Used in indirect questions to introduce one alternative.
We should find out whether the museum is open.
American Heritage
In case; in either case that.
Webster's New World
Used to introduce alternative possibilities.
Whether she wins or whether she loses, this is her last tournament.
American Heritage
Either.
Taxation to support the war, whether just or unjust.
Webster's New World
pronoun
Which.
American Heritage
Which (esp. of two)
Webster's New World
Bible, Matthew xxi. 31
Whether of them twain did the will of his father?
Wiktionary
Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Whether
- whether or no
- whether or no
Origin of Whether
-
Old English hwæþer, from Proto-Germanic *hwaþeraz, comparative form of *hwaz (“who"). Cognate with German weder (“neither"), Swedish hvar, Icelandic hvorr (“each").
From Wiktionary
-
Middle English from Old English hwether kwo- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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